Introduction
Have you ever experienced an uncomfortable feeling in your chest that gets worse when you lay down? If so, you may be experiencing a phenomenon known as “heart racing”. This condition is caused by a variety of factors, from physical stress to psychological triggers.
In this article, we’ll discuss what causes heart racing, the symptoms associated with it, and how to manage it. We’ll also provide tips on how to reduce or prevent heart racing episodes in the future. So if you want to learn more about this condition and how to address it, keep reading!
Causes of Uncomfortable Heart Sensations
Sometimes it can feel like your heart is fluttering or pounding when you lay down. This uncomfortable feeling can be caused by several things, from physical exertion to medical conditions.
Let’s explore the many potential causes of this uncomfortable feeling in your heart:
Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety and stress can also cause uncomfortable heart sensations. Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. When experiencing anxiety, the body responds with physical symptoms including a racing heartbeat, elevated blood pressure and chest pains.
Stress is the body’s response to changes in our environment or lifestyle. It’s normal to feel stressed at times, but when this reaction is intense or persistent, it can lead to physical symptoms like an increased heart rate and chest discomfort.
Both anxiety and stress may also cause irregular breathing patterns which can lead to an uncomfortable sensation in the chest while resting or lying down. Taking time to relax with deep breath exercises or yoga may help reduce some of these symptoms.
Heart Rhythm Disorders
Heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias, occur when there is a problem with how your heart pumps blood. The most common causes of arrhythmias involve abnormal electrical signals that affect the normal pumping motion of your heart. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) may be used to assess the function of your ticker and measure any abnormal heart rhythms. Common types of arrhythmias include atrial fibrillation (AFib), bradycardia, and tachycardia.
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common forms of arrhythmia and occurs when there is disorganized electrical activity in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. This can lead to an irregular heartbeat which can cause feelings of palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or dizziness/lightheadedness.
Bradycardia is a slow heart rate which is less than 60 beats per minute in adults and can lead to faintness or fatigue if severe enough. Slow-beating hearts are unable to pump adequate amounts of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body efficiently leading to general feelings of tiredness and weakness and possibly dizziness or lightheadedness when sitting up or standing suddenly.
Tachycardia on the other hand is a fast heartbeat with a rate greater than 100 beats per minute in adults that can also cause dizziness and lightheadedness due to lack of oxygenated blood supply throughout the body as well as chest pain due to increased strain on the muscles around your heart during these episodes. Ultimately both bradycardia and tachycardia can be associated with uncomfortable sensations in your chest that worsen when laying down for prolonged periods at night.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of uncomfortable heart sensations or palpitations. Common causes of palpitations can include arrhythmias, anemia, heart attack or stroke, certain medications, thyroid problems or anxiety. In some cases, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.
In addition to common arrhythmia-related issues such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, other causes of uncomfortable heart sensations can include ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia and a Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW). Other potential causes could also include birth defects like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well as disruption in the normal structure/functioning due to an electrolyte imbalance or side effects from chemotherapy.
More rarely seen forms of abnormal heartbeats can be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) or blockages in areas such as the aorta and pulmonary arteries. Diseases that affect the valves between chambers (like congenital valve stenosis) and abnormalities of the aortic wall (such as Marfan syndrome) may also contribute to this symptom. In addition, tumors can put pressure onto structures near your heart which eventually leads to altered rhythms including arrhythmia.
Finally, medications such as those used for treating high blood pressure are known for causing palpitations in some patients – especially those that contain stimulants like epinephrine or pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (decongestants). Ultimately then it is important to check with your doctor whenever you experience any type of uncomfortable sensation from your heart.
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach protrudes into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm. This condition can be caused by factors such as obesity, weak stomach muscles, or increased pressure in the abdomen. People who have a hiatal hernia may experience sensations of chest discomfort and a feeling of pressure or tightness during activities that involve lying down. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Acid reflux
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Treatment options range from lifestyle changes to medications or surgery depending on the severity of the condition.
Diagnosis
A feeling of weird sensation or discomfort in your chest may be a sign of a serious medical condition. It is important to properly diagnose this feeling so that you can receive the right medical treatment.
In this article, we will discuss potential causes of this sensation and the ways to diagnose them:
Physical Exam
A physical exam of your heart is essential in diagnosing why it feels unusual when you’re lying down. During the exam, a variety of tests may be performed to assess the status of your heart and its ability to fill and pump blood efficiently. Your doctor will listen to your heart rate and rhythm, measure your blood pressure in various positions, use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to listen to electrical activity within the heart, evaluate blood vessels in different parts of your body, measure lung health, and also check for any congenital defects or abnormalities.
The physical exam alone may not be enough to accurately diagnose why you are feeling weirdness when you lay down; additional tests such as x-rays and cardiac imaging may be recommended. These tests can provide more detailed information about the size and structure of a person’s heart, as well as any other conditions that may exist in the body that could be impacting their symptoms. Your doctor can then use this data combined with other findings from your physical exam to make a more accurate diagnosis.
EKG
An Electrocardiogram, commonly referred to as an EKG, is one of the best ways to determine why you may be having heart issues when you lay down. This test records the electrical signal that is generated by your heart. Your doctor can analyze the signal to determine if your heart is functioning properly and if there are any underlying conditions present.
An EKG will require you to have several electrodes placed on your chest and, in some cases, additional electrodes may also be placed on your limbs. The placement of these electrodes allow them to measure and record the electrical activity that occurs within your heart as it responds throughout different types of activities, such as when you are lying down or standing up.
By having an EKG conducted and providing your doctor with detailed information about your symptoms, they can utilize this test to identify a wide range of possible cardiovascular concerns including but not limited to:
- Rhythm irregularities.
- Blocked arteries.
- Damage or enlargement in a left lower chamber (ventricle) due to previous damage from a heart attack or overexertion from physical activity.
- Thickened or enlarged walls in one of more chambers from high blood pressure over many years.
- Signs of fluid buildup around the heart due to certain conditions like pericarditis (inflammation around the outside layer of the heart).
If abnormalities are found while performing this diagnostic test then they can be treated accordingly; however some abnormalities can occur that would not require treatment such as short-lived episodes like skipped beats where no action is needed unless they become frequent or cause other symptoms.
Stress Test
A stress test is a medical exam or procedure used to assess how your heart reacts to physical stress. During a stress test, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill or ride an exercise pedal. The intensity of the exercise will be increased as the test progresses, usually by either increasing the speed or incline at intervals. This exhaustion can also be replicated with medication if necessary.
As you exercise, your heart rate, breathing patterns and blood pressure are monitored and recorded with an electrocardiogram (EKG). Your doctor may also order additional tests such as echocardiograms (ultrasound of your heart) to diagnose any abnormalities that could explain why you are experiencing chest symptoms when you lay down. The goal of these tests is to show evidence of decreased blood flow or inadequate oxygen supply to your heart due to an underlying condition such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), or cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease).
In some cases, this test may not provide enough information for an absolute diagnosis and further testing may be recommended. Stress testing can help doctors make accurate diagnoses, monitor existing conditions and inform treatment plans so it is often considered a necessary step in diagnosing cardiac authors.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram (also known as an echo or ultrasound of the heart) is a test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the heart muscle and valves. A technician will use an instrument called a transducer (which looks like a microphone) to produce sound waves and collect the echoes they produce. These soundwaves are then sent to a computer, which creates images that your doctor can use to view your heart’s structure and function.
An echocardiogram can provide information about the size, shape, and movement of your heart; how well your valves are working; and how thick or stiff your heart walls are. It can also detect any blockages in the arteries that bring blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
Depending on what your doctor suspects is causing your symptoms, he or she may request other tests such as:
- An electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Cardiac catheterization
- Stress Echocardiography
Treatment
Experiencing a strange sensation in your chest when you lay down can be scary and sometimes be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several treatment options you can explore to help you address the issue. These may include lifestyle modifications, medications, and other therapies.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different treatments available for this condition:
Medication
Medication is often recommended to treat the symptoms of why your heart feels weird when you lay down. Medications may be prescribed alone or in combination depending on the underlying cause that is causing your symptoms. Common medications may include:
- Beta-blockers such as atenolol and propranolol. These drugs reduce heart rate and improve blood flow through the coronary arteries.
- Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil may be prescribed to reduce chest pain and other cardiac symptoms by improving blood flow.
- ACE inhibitors like lisinopril and ramipril are used to treat hypertension (hypertension) can also improve your heart’s ability to pump blood properly.
- Angiotensin II antagonists (ARB) like losartan and valsartan are also used to block certain hormones in your body which can help reduce high blood pressure, chest pain or other cardiac concerns that can cause dizziness when you lay down.
- Nitrates such as nitroglycerin tablets are vasodilators which means they relax or widen the veins and arteries so that more oxygen rich blood can reach the heart muscle. This helps reduce chest pain associated with angina pectoris.
- Diuretics such as furosemide also known as Lasix help eliminate excess fluid from around your lungs which make it easier for you breath when lying down which tends to trigger an episode of dizziness in some people.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are important when it comes to dealing with a heart condition such as the one you are experiencing. It is difficult to give a specific answer for why your heart feels weird, but making lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms and minimize the severity of the condition.
First and foremost, it is important to create an exercise routine. Regular physical exercise helps strengthen your heart and keeps it healthy. Additionally, physical activity will improve your overall cardiovascular health by increasing your circulation, regulating high blood pressure and reducing stress. The intensity of exercise should be tailored to fit one’s individual capacity; however, moderate intensity such as brisk walking or jogging several times a week cannot be overstated in helping maintain the health of your heart.
In addition to regular exercise, it is important to watch what you consume on a daily basis. Eating unhealthy foods (i.e., high fat foods) can put an extra burden on your heart. Therefore, eating healthier substitutes (ie swaps) such as lean proteins and whole grains instead of unhealthy options like trans fats can help reduce symptoms while improving overall health at the same time.
Finally, managing stress levels through mindfulness meditation or breathing exercises is beneficial in dealing with the discomfort in your heart while calming the mind at the same time. Taking part in activities that promote relaxation such as yoga or even listening to music can also help reduce stress levels which may improve general wellbeing and ease any discomfort you may feel when laying down.
Surgery
Surgery is a frequent treatment option for people who suffer from abnormal heartbeats due to underlying heart conditions. Depending on the condition, different types of surgery may be recommended. These include open-heart surgery, like valve replacement or a procedure to replace lost heart muscle, as well as minimally invasive surgery like an ablation procedure, which uses thin wires and scopes inserted in chest or leg veins to access the heart. Surgery is designed to correct irregular rhythms caused by poorer circulation, or narrowing of the chambers that work best if caught early and then swiftly treated.
Although surgery is not always necessary and could be a last resort treatment option if medications are unsuccessful or cause adverse side effects. Risks are associated with any type of operation but most surgeries involving the heart have low risk associated with them, when done properly and under the supervision of an experienced surgeon. Ultimately, your doctor will discuss all of your options with you before deciding on the right treatment course for your individual situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many possible causes of a weird sensation in your heart when you lay down. These might include irregular heartbeats and arrhythmias caused by problems with the electrical conduction system, panic disorder, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
However, it is important to remember that symptoms can be caused by a number of different things and it is always best to consult with your doctor if you are at all concerned about your health. In most cases, lifestyle changes and medical treatment can help alleviate the issue.